The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
The Moon first rose in I 1 (the beginning of the Years of the Sun)
Location
The lower regions of Ilmen
Origins
The Moon was created from the last flower of the Tree Telperion, mounted in a vessel by Aulë, and set aloft by Varda
Race
Division
Pronunciation
ra'na
Meaning
'The Wayward', a reference to the unpredictable course of Tilion, steersman of the Moon
Other names
Title of

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 July 2022
  • This entry is complete

Rána

A name for the Moon

When the Valar first set the Moon and Sun in the sky, their intention was for the new lights to follow an ordered passage over Arda. Each was to travel from West to East and return, with their lights mingling as they passed one another. Tilion, the steersman of the Moon, proved unreliable at following this path: drawn to the light of the Sun, he wandered too close and upset the purposes of the Valar. Though the Quenya name for the Moon was properly Isil, Tilion's wanderings caused it to become known as Rána, the 'Wayward', among the Noldor of Aman.

Because of the straying path of the Moon, and considering that the new brilliant lights left the stars hidden, Varda reconsidered her plans, and instead ordered things so that each would set in the West and pass beneath the world, re-emerging in the East to rise into the sky once again.


See also...

Isil, The Wayward

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 July 2022
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2000, 2015, 2022. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Your Free Personality Test, the free personality test online
What's your ideal career? Are you in the right job? Explore your options with Your Free Personality Test.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry